The Genius Blog
Would Someone Please Invent This?
As you might guess from a guy that runs a website that lets you organize your entire life for free... I'm somewhat of a cheapskate. And one thing that has been really bugging me lately is the telecommunications industry. Over the last couple years, they've been expanding the fees that are required to keep you "connected" to the modern world. Pull out your calculators for a quick breakdown of what you could easily lay out per month:
$25 landline phone
$80 family shared wireless plan for two people
$10 additional "texting" feature for two people
$60 data fee for internet on two phones
$50 high speed cable internet for your home
$50 basic cable TV package
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$275 per month
It's out of control. And I'm not even taking into account the fact that I run a small business and therefore pay for a whole second set of internet and phone services for my office. I am only one person - there is no reason why there should be so much redundancy in what I'm paying!!
So... this is where I want to see things go:
I want to buy 2 mobile-broadband USB sticks... that give me and my wife internet access everywhere for a single charge of about $50-60 bucks a month. Something like a wimax 4G network. These do exist.
But then I want routers setup at my home and office with a plug on the top of them for the stick. I walk into work and plug in my stick to the router and presto... I have work internet. I drive home, plug it in at home and have home internet.
Next... the television networks would make sure all their shows are on the internet and I would then just start watching all TV through the web... eliminating any cable TV bill whatsoever.
Finally, the icing on the cake would be the invention of a mobile-phone-sized device that you can plug this internet USB stick into... and then you could make VOIP calls through Skype (for free or very low long distance cost) just like a cell phone. Of course, you could also use the same device with the USB stick in the back of it... to browse the web or text through the internet. And since Skype is so reasonable in cost, you could then drop your landline.
Final cost would be:
$60 two wireless everywhere USB sticks
$15-25 Skype fee for all phonecalls made through the internet
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About $80 per month
It's getting closer... Clear.com has recently released a program that is the beginnings of this kind of system. I'd like to see them go all the way. After all, I'm not picky. I just want internet, phone, text, and television everywhere I go for one single low cost monthly fee. Is that so wrong?
COMMENTS:
Posted by Chris Spencer on Tue May 11, 2010 9:08 AM EST
The cradlepoint router lets you plug in the usb modem and go wireless to all computers in the house or business. Then you can skype through that connection. Thats how we ran our house this last year.
Also, we have not had cable tv or an antenae for over a year. All tv comes through the computer via Hulu, Fancast, or Netflix. There are no shows that we miss and thousands more we get than cable subscribers do.
Posted by Dan Rutledge on Tue May 11, 2010 3:51 PM EST
Hey Chris - thanks for that. Love getting tech hints! I wasn't aware of Cradlepoint and I like the wi-fi portal that they have, which is different than Clear.com. You could theoretically use something like an iPod touch as a mobile phone using Skype through wi-fi. Very cool! I really hope companies like this win out over the big cable and wireless companies. I want to make a jump sometime to a scenario like yours, so appreciate the tips. Right now I do keep the very basic home cable ($12 a month) - mostly because of NFL games. But I could easily grab an antennae for that and be good to go. Thanks again for the comment.
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What I've Been Up To This Month (Besides SignUpGenius)
We keep pretty busy at Skylark, the company that runs SignUpGenius. In addition to the support and development of this website... we are also involved in film and video production. To some people that may seem like a rather broad focus for a company. But really -- since the internet and video media are getting closer to merging every day, it's actually pretty natural. If it involves creativity, visual or technical expertise, and ends up getting published in some type of media... that's in our wheelhouse.
This month we've been working on a great project for Upward Unlimited, a national Christian sports league for kids. We're writing and directing a set of videos for use on their website (I told you things were merging) that will be viewed by about 500,000 kids in their leagues. It's a very fun project and I thought I'd show some images from our recent shoot. We're using a green screen and some fun special effects in post.
So if you child plays in an Upward League, be sure to look for some of our videos on the Upward website this next year. And of course... be sure to organize your team snacks, parties, and league volunteers using SignUpGenius! I keep trying to figure out how I can include our logo somewhere in the video... but so far no luck!
Oh... and if you don't know me... I'm the handsome guy in the black shirt.
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SignUpGenius Inks Professional Sports Sponsorship Deal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 1, 2010 – Charlotte, NC.
A media frenzy descended on Charlotte, NC today when site co-founder Dan Rutledge revealed during a sweeping press conference that SignUpGenius.com has been chosen as the “official free online sign up thing” for the professional sport of full-contact women’s croquet.
 “This is a huge moment for us,” Rutledge said. “We’ve been longtime supporters of the NWFCCL (National Women’s Full-Contact Croquet League), and we appreciate the leadership and commitment to excellence that the league brings to the world of competitive sports. We feel like this is a marriage of two iconic brands. Full-contact women’s croquet is insanely popular with youth and adults alike – and just the kind of organization we want to partner with.”
Croquet Commissioner Megan Vespa was on hand in Charlotte to reveal the new league jerseys that sport the SignUpGenius logo and quickly waved off the suggestion that the league was “selling out.” Said Vespa: “There are certain companies that bring a whole new level to corporate sponsorship. We looked at all the biggies: Microsoft, Coca-Cola, and that company that makes the Chia-pet. But NO ONE offered the kind of exposure and the free customizable sign up forms that this company brings. It just made sense.”
The deal was seen as a great publicity move for the NWFCCL, which has struggled recently with criticism that the popular sport is “too rough” and “barbaric.” As recently as March, former National League All-Star Pam French was flagged for a flagrant foul that nearly cost her team a spot in the playoffs when she forcefully used her mallet to send opposing player Tammy Medders sprawling face-first into a wicket.
“Yeah, it’s rough. But this is how the games is played,” said French afterwards. “If she can’t take the heat, then turn off the crock-pot.”
Croquet Superstar Myrtle Harlacher waves to fans at the SignUpGenius press conference. |
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Sue Flannery, head of the sports watchdog group Play Fair, thinks that incidents like this send the wrong message to children. “A lot of our girls look up to these women. Let’s face it… these players have the perfect hair, the rippling muscles, the mallets… they are role models whether they think so or not.”
Commissioner Megan Vespa stressed that the partnership with SignUpGenius demonstrates that the women playing full-contact croquet are more than just “supermodels whacking a ball through hoops.” “The partnership with SignUpGenius shows that our athletes are intelligent too,” said Vespa. “Our women can do more than score a double-bank while holding off an opposing player with a stiff-arm… they can also plan and organize their school, home, and church activities for free using the latest technological tools.”
Angela Sluder, manager of the league-leading Arizona DeathSmackers, agrees. “The truth is, I already use SignUpGenius all the time for our team. By creating a free online sign up sheet, I can easily organize which of the girls will volunteer to bring the after-game steroid-enhanced protein shakes. The automatic email reminders mean that I no longer have to throw anyone into a locker to remind them to do their duty.”
By sponsoring the NWFCCL, SignUpGenius hopes to ride the wave of public excitement that has swelled since the “Big Hoop” playoff tournament was broadcast by CW affiliate WDUD in Beaver Creek, Montana. According to inside sources, super-agent Jack Lugar brokered the sponsorship deal which involves a web campaign, uniform sponsorship, and a 4H parade in Clyde Park, Minnesota. The sponsorship deal is believed to be an exclusive annual contract in the “low three figures.”
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